2ND ANNUAL BIKE BLESSING AND MEMORIAL RIDE
MERRILLVILLE GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL HOSTED EVENT THAT INCLUDED A BICYCLE, BIG WHEEL AND SCOOTER BLESSING FOR KIDS
MERRILLVILLE, IN: The Northern Indiana Chapter of the Panhellenic Motorcycle Association held their 2nd Annual Bike Blessing and Memorial Ride this past Sunday, May 15, 2016, following Sunday Services at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Merrillville, Indiana. New this year, the event also featured a Bicycle, Big Wheel, and Scooter Blessing for the kids with their own fundraiser group ride which followed the blessing.
Parish Priests Father Theodore Poteres and Father George Pappas held the short Blessing Service outside the church with the gathered motorcyclist and children. Following that short service, they then proceed to bless each rider and motorcycle/bicycle/big wheel/scooter with Holy Water for safety throughout this year’s riding season. The event featured over 100 motorcyclist from throughout the United States and Canada and over 40 children from the parish.
The Panhellenic Motorcycle Association then left for a 30 mile Memorial Ride while the children held their own shorter group fundraiser ride. Both group rides ended back at the church for a lunch reception and entertainment. The Panhellenic Motorcycle Association Memorial Ride is a fundraiser for the organization and will assist in it’s ability to make contributions within the community. The children’s Bicycle, Big Wheel and Scooter Ride, which was an new highly successful addition this year, was a fundraiser for Ekaterina Hatzikostantis, the 8 year old daughter of parishioners of the parish that is battling cancer.
The Panhellenic Motorcycle Association is Canadian non-profit organization. The Northern Indiana Chapter is the only chapter currently with the United States. Their mission is to inspire friendship and unity among Hellenic motorcycle riders and in turn unite and support Greek communities through their membership. The Panhellenic Motorcycle Association is supportive of all Hellenic initiatives that truly share the same vision. More information on the Panhellenic Motorcycle Association can be found on their website: www.PanhellenicMA.com.
